Micromobility operator Zipp has partnered with technology firm FREE NOW in a move that will see Zipp e-scooters and e-bikes in Ireland integrated into the FREE NOW app later this year.
This partnership will enable passengers to book Zipp micromobility devices via the FREE NOW app once the operator rolls out its services across Ireland.
The announcement comes just a few months after the Irish cabinet approved legislation that will see e-scooters legalised on roads throughout the country.
Zipp, headquartered at NovaUCD, has already launched in the UK and mainland Europe and plans to launch both e-scooters and e-bikes across Ireland in 2022.
Recent research conducted by FREE NOW found that 40 per cent of its passengers plan to use e-scooters when they are made widely available in Irish cities this year, while around 75 per cent think that Ireland needs more sustainable, electric transport options in line with other European countries.
Zipp Founder and CEO Charlie Gleeson said: “We are thrilled to join the group of operators that are able to offer their micromobility services on the FREE NOW platform. At Zipp, we understand that micromobility is not a silver bullet solution to decarbonising transport so we must collaborate with platforms like FREE NOW to give our customers a full spectrum of sustainable transport options. This is the only way we can meaningfully reduce our reliance on the private car and get to net-zero emissions in transport.
“This year we hope to launch our e-scooters and e-bikes in cities across Ireland including Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and this partnership will be a great asset to our users. Zipp was founded with Ireland in mind and we are so excited to bring our ethos of mobility done right to Irish cities during 2022.”
FREE NOW has existing partnerships with a number of micromobility operators around Europe including Voi, Dott and TIER.
“It’s a really exciting time for the industry now that legislation on e-scooters is in motion, and we look forward to having e-scooters available on our app in 2022,” added Niall Carson, Country Manager of FREE NOW Ireland.
“We understand that our customers want to make more sustainable choices and having the option to book an e-scooter or EV taxi facilitates this. Using FREE NOW allows you to choose the best means of transport for you and your specific journey on any given day. Some longer trips make more sense in a taxi and for others using an e-scooter or e-bike will be quicker. It’s all about convenience and giving our customers the choice.”
